BA (Hons) Art and Design with Foundation Year (Part-time)

Welcome to Art and Design: Foundation Programme

This could be a good starting point. If you have had a break from education (however long it might have been), but are thinking about a career in art and design, this programme has much to offer. Designed to provide you with a practical introduction to different areas of art and design practice, you will build a portfolio of work to support your progression onto one of our degrees in the School of Art.

If you would like to find out more, one of the best ways to do that is to meet our current students. We have Open Days that you can book into, but you can also contact us to arrange an individual visit.

This is a two-year, part-time Higher Education course in art and design. It is a predominantly practical course and through lectures, workshops, personal tuition and independent study provides an opportunity for students to develop the skills and knowledge needed to progress onto the first year of degree level study.

The first year is a more general introduction to art and design practice, where the various modules are studied via practical workshops, a drawing programme, project work, art history, research and study skills that are aimed at providing you with the experience and knowledge you need to progress – and also to decide which subject area you would like to concentrate on in the second year.

The second year provides an opportunity for students to develop their own creative direction. During the second year you will focus on producing work in your chosen subject (for example, Fine Art, Fashion, Textiles, Graphic Media or Photography). The emphasis here, is on employing and enhancing the skills and knowledge you acquired during the first year, to develop a portfolio of work for progression onto a degree level course in that subject. You will also have the opportunity to discuss your choice of subject and your work with the relevant course leaders, who will be able to advise you on the suitability of their course for your needs.

The course operates on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice. Each module is worth a specified number of credits, with most modules counting for 30 or 15 academic credits, with each credit taken equating to a total amount of study time which includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity.

Most full-time students will take modules worth 60 credits per semester, with part-time students taking proportionately fewer credits per semester. A total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits are needed for an honours degree as a whole. Overall grades for the course and degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6.

Compulsory modules enable you to cover key subject knowledge whilst and optional allow you to develop your own interests. The number of optional modules you can take depends on the number of core modules at a given level. Our teaching is informed by research, professional practice and industry engagement and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline.

32 UCAS points* plus 3 GCSEs (grades A*- C) including English, plus a portfolio of visual work or completion of the first year of a level 3 diploma in an art related subject.

Please note, students without formal qualifications, but with an appropriate portfolio of visual work or work experience will also be given full consideration. *2017-18 UCAS Tariff

International applicants

If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking), or an equivalent English Language qualification.

Additional requirements:

You must provide evidence of having been in general education for at least 10 years and of having studied within the last five years

a face-to-face interview is required before an offer is made.

On successful completion of the first two years students will be eligible for progression onto year one of our BA Honours degree courses in your chosen subject.

Awarding body: University of Essex

Students who complete the course successfully will receive a degree from the University of Essex. The agreement between the University Centre Colchester and the University of Essex is reviewed every five years and was last renewed in 2017.

Timetables: Timetables are normally available one month before registration. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week.

Teaching and Learning: You are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and practical’s. Seminars enable smaller group discussions to develop understanding of topics covered in lectures. You will use and have access to industry-standard software and facilities throughout your course.

When not attending lectures, seminars and laboratory or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, learning zone or technical learning resources, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations

Assessment: The course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally contains at least one piece of practice or ‘formative’ assessment for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark.

There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. Assessment methods include written examinations and a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations and your final year major project. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Feedback: You will receive feedback on all practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor.

This module is a series of practical introductions to the various workshop facilities in the School of Art (Wood, Metal, and Plastics, Ceramics, Print, & Photography). You will also work with a particular theme or subject across all the work you produce for this module.

What do I learn?

You will learn appropriate health and safety procedures and a range of practical skills in printmaking, photography, working with clay and other materials. You will also learn the value of developing and exploring an idea in a range of different media and techniques.

What’s the assignment?

You will be assessed in two parts:

Research and Development, which forms 60% of the mark. This will typically include all your artist research, sketchbooks, and the various experiments you have tried with different materials and processes.

Material Outcomes, which is all the finished work you produce, makes up the other 40% of your mark.

Want to know more?

To see the module description, please click here.

BAAAD020 Art, Design and Craft Analysis(15 Credits)

What’s it about?

This module is about the history of Art and Design, but not just what was done and when, but why, how, who it was, what people thought about it at the time, and how it influenced our thinking.

What do I learn?

You will practice and develop research and writing skills as you investigate and learn about the conception, production and consumption of art, design and craft.

What’s the assignment?

You will be assessed in two parts:

A short audio-visual Presentation, which forms 50% of the mark. This will typically be on an artist or designer, or a particular example of their work.

A 1,500-word essay, on a topic similar to your presentation, makes up the other 50% of your mark.

Want to know more?

To see the module description, please click here.

BAAAD030 Drawing(15 Credits)

What’s it about?

This is a studio based, practical module, aimed at improving and broadening your drawing skills and introducing you to some of the underlying principles of drawing. It will also extend your understanding and awareness of drawing as a practice in a broader sense, through an introduction to the work of contemporary and historical artists and designers.

What do I learn?

You will practice and learn drawing techniques and skills, and you will also learn how to apply those skills in an experimental and exploratory way. As the module progresses you, you will learn and apply research skills to investigate the work of artists and designers, which will broaden your awareness of historical and contemporary drawing.

What’s the assignment?

Assessment is based on a Portfolio of Coursework. This includes all drawings, sketchbooks and research material.

Want to know more?

To see the module description, please click here.

Year Two (Level 0)

Module Code and Title:

BAAAD040 Art and Design Development(30 Credits)

What’s it about?

The emphasis here is on experimentation, exploration, and an opportunity to apply the skills you have learnt so far to developing the personal creative direction in your work. You will have the freedom to select the media, materials and processes you work with and also be encouraged to investigate the work of other artists and designers whose work is relevant to you interests.

What do I learn?

You will learn how to produce a wide range of visual research material to explore an idea that you are interested in. You will learn to analyse the work you are doing and make appropriate decisions and selections to be developed into more resolved and final outcomes.

What’s the assignment?

Assessment is based on a Portfolio of Coursework (100%). This includes all drawings, sketchbooks, visual research materials and any other work.

Want to know more?

To see the module description, please click here.

BAAAD050 Specialist Art and design Project(30 Credits)

What’s it about?

This module is all about identifying a specific field of study (e.g. Fine Art, Graphics, Textiles) and developing finished work for presentation at the end of the year.

What do I learn?

Following on from the previous module, you will learn how to apply yourself to the process of translating your research material into resolved Final Outcomes, and these will be displayed in the Graduate Exhibition at the end of the year.

What’s the assignment?

You will be assessed in two parts:

Research and Development, which forms 60% of the mark. This will typically include all your artists research, sketchbooks, and any other work.

Material Outcomes, which is all the finished work you produce, makes up the other 40% of your mark.

Want to know more?

To see the module description, please click here.

Contextual Studies

Year One: All Art and Design Pathways

Module Code and Title:

BAFA02C, BAFT02C, BAGD02C, BATD02C, BAPH05C:

Introduction to Study Skills and Personal Planning (15 Credits)

What’s it about?

This module introduces you to the Higher Education learning environment.

It will equip you with the skills to reflect on your learning and experience as a student.

What do I learn?

Appreciation and understanding of the requirements of a HE learning environment

Identifying, recording and practicing the skills required to be successful in your studies

The ability to record and reflect upon the development of your learning

What’s the assignment?

A 10-minute audio-visual presentation to your peer group, a reflective online journal, and a 1,500-word report on your learning experience.

A range of lectures and seminars, running throughout the academic year, on the history and development of art and design practice.

What do I learn?

You will learn about the social, economic, political, industrial, technical and environmental contexts within which art, design & craft are conceived and produced. You will also develop your communication, research and analytical skills and your ability to write coherently and present your ideas to an audience.

What’s the assignment?

You are asked to give a 10-minute presentation and submit an illustrated essay or report (2,000 words) on a topic agreed with your tutor.

This module is about independently assessing and reflecting on your learning so far and considering your plans for the future, identifying the skills you have already learned and where you might need to apply yourself more in order to achieve those goals.

What do I learn?

You will develop your independence in applying study skills, which will help you in your studies and career, such as identifying and assessing personal strengths and weaknesses, planning and organising developmental needs and making reflective and critical judgments.

What’s the assignment?

You will be asked to give a 10-minute presentation on an agreed career development proposal and submit a 2,000-word Reflective Report and online illustrated journal.

This module builds upon the broad overview of art and design practice introduced in the Critical and Contextual Studies module at Level 4. It will develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of traditional and contemporary theories of art and help you to examine them in relation to your own practice and interests.

What do I learn?

You will learn about contemporary and historical ideas and debates within your subject, and further enhance your abilities to communicate effectively and persuasively in written and spoken form.

What’s the assignment?

You will deliver a 10-minute audio-visual presentation, and an illustrated essay or report (3,000 words) on a research topic agreed with your tutor.

This module is about supporting your preparation for professional progression, by providing a forum for you to reflect on your role as an artist or designer and consider what professional practice or research interests you might pursue following graduation.

What do I learn?

This module will provide an understanding and awareness of the varied and eclectic avenues available to you as an Art and Design graduate. Professional development workshops & visiting lecturers will provide you with practical guidance on working in the creative industries.

What’s the assignment?

There are three elements to submit: an Audio-Visual Presentation [20%] which identifies your postgraduate goals, an Illustrated Blog [40%], with documentation of your research (e.g. CV, funding streams, work and exhibiting opportunities), and an Exhibition Presentation [40%], based on the exhibition of work you present at the end of your final year.

You will be using your academic and writing skills to engage with in-depth exploration, research and investigation of a subject related to your main studio practice.

What do I learn?

You will learn to plan and write a dissertation that demonstrates logical and consistent structure and fulfils the requirements and standards for academic writing.

What’s the assignment?

There are two assignments to be submitted. Firstly, you will produce a 500-word dissertation proposal to provide a summarized overview of the subject. You will then produce a 6,000-word illustrated dissertation on your chosen subject.

Disclaimer

All Fees and prices shown on the website are for courses starting in the 2018-19 or 2019-20 academic year and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.

The course information describes programmes offered by University Centre Colchester at Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.

The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. University Centre Colchester at Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.

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